Travatan (generic name: travoprost opthalmic) is a medication used to manage such diseases as glaucoma (a condition of increased eye pressure). According to Drugs.com, it increases the amount of draining fluid from your eye, subsequently decreasing eye pressure. Place one drop in the affected eye daily. Typically, this opthalmic medication starts to decrease your eye pressure after two hours, says the National Library of Medicine.
Frequent Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, Travatan cause such routine side effects as tearing of the eyes, eye pain and headache. Other frequent side effects include blurry vision and eye irritation. The National Library of Medicine says that 35 to 50 percent of studied patients developed ocular hyperemia (irritation and redness of the eye). Of this patient population, 3 percent stopped using Travatan. In this same study, 5 to 10 percent of patients developed decreased vision and a sensation that something was in their eye. Report to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects. These effects can pose a serious threat to your vision if they persist.
Harmful Side Effects
A wide variety of detrimental side effects can occur with Travatan use. Harmful side effects include discharge or pus exudation (oozing) from your eye, swelling of your eyes, photophobia (sensitivity of your eyes to ultraviolet or artificial light), changes in vision and chest pain. Other hazardous side effects include pain and itching around your eye, says Drugs.com. Discontinue Travatan use and go to your local hospital immediately.
Additional Side Effects
In a controlled clinical study, the National Library of Medicine reports that 1 to 4 percent of studied patients had blepharitis (inflammation of your eye lashes and eyelid), cataracts (clouding of your eye lenses), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outer surface layer of your eye) and crusting of your eyelids. These same patients also experienced keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of your eye), red eyes and changes in the color of their eyes.
The National Library of Medicine also indicates that 1 to 5 percent of the same study population developed anxiety, angina pectoris (chest pain), urinary tract infections, sinus infections and hypotension (low blood pressure) with Travatan use. Other possible side effects include back pain, bronchitis, bradycardia (slow heartbeat), headache, hypercholesteromia (high cholesterol levels) and indigestion.
Other Concerns
You should avoid Travatan if you are allergic to it or its ingredients, such as benzalkonium chloride. Side effects such as trouble breathing, hives and puffiness of your face, throat and tongue may occur.
Avoid applying Travatan when you are wearing contacts. According to MedlinePlus, soft contact lenses may absorb this medication and prevent it from being less effective. Remove your contact lenses prior to applying Travatan.
Do not use Travatan if you currently have an eye infection. Doing so, can lead to the aforementioned side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. It is unclear whether Travatan can contaminate your breast milk or pass to your unborn child. However, it is important that you and your doctor evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing Travatan.
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